LUNYAMILA AANZA KUZUNGUMZA

Lunyamila akiwa amelala kitandani hospitalini .PICHA|MAKTABA 

HALI ya winga wa zamani wa Yanga na Taifa Stars, Edibily Lunyamila, inaendelea kuimarika baada ya kuanza kuzungumza kwa kifupi na watu wanaomtembelea kumjulia hali katika Hospitali ya Mwanyamala, Dar es Salaam, ambapo amelazwa.

MKWASA: NAKUJA YANGA, TWITE ANENA

 

Kocha Mkuu wa Ruvu Shooting,Charles Boniface Mkwasa.PICHA|MAKTABA 

KOCHA Mkuu wa Ruvu Shooting, Charles Boniface Mkwasa, ameweka wazi kwamba yupo katika mazungumzo na viongozi wa Yanga na yakikamilika atatua Jangwani kuchukua nafasi ya Kocha Msaidizi, lakini kiraka Mbuyu Twite ametoa masharti ya mkataba mpya.

KATINU MPYA TFF AINGIA NA MIKWARA

Katibu Mkuu mpya wa Shirikisho la Soka Tanzania (TFF), Selestine Mwesigwa.inShar

 KATIBU Mkuu mpya wa Shirikisho la Soka Tanzania (TFF), Selestine Mwesigwa, ameliambia Mwanaspoti

LOGARUSIC: MKINIPA YANGA NAFUKUZA MABEKI WOTE

Kocha Mkuu wa Simba,Zdravko Logarusic.PICHA|MAKTABA 

KOCHA Mkuu wa Simba, Zdravko Logarusic, amempa pole mwenzake wa Yanga, Ernest Brandts, kwa kupewa notisi na uongozi wa timu hiyo, lakini akasema angekuwa anaifundisha Yanga angewatimua mabeki wanne wa kikosi hicho wakiwamo nahodha Nadir Haroub ‘Cannavaro’ na Kelvin Yondani.

HAMNIWEZI MTASUBIRI SANA!

Amissi Tambwe.

STRAIKA wa Simba, Mrundi Amissi Tambwe, ametamka kwamba Yanga watasubiri sana kipindi hiki, kwani Wekundu wa Msimbazi sasa ni habari nyingine kabisa. Kocha wake, Zdravko Logarusic, naye amekejeli akisema Yanga hawamuwezi na ataendelea kucheza na akili zao ili kuwapa vipigo.

Simba iliifunga Yanga mabao 3-1 juzi Jumamosi kwenye mechi ya Nani Mtani Jembe iliyochezwa Uwanja wa Taifa jijini Dar es Salaam.

Mcroatia ampa Tambwe mavitu ya uhakika

 

KOCHA wa Simba, Zdravko Logarusic kwa siku mbili mfululizo amekuwa akimpa mazoezi na mbinu mpya za ufungaji straika wake, Amissi Tambwe ili atishe kwenye mechi ya Nani Mtani Jembe leo Jumamosi dhidi ya Yanga yenye kipa Juma Kaseja.

West Ham yaiadhibu Spurs.

Tottenham walifungua mlango katika nusu ya pili wakati Emmanuel Adebayor alipofunga bao lake la kwanza tangu mwezi wa Mei.

RAGE AJIVUA LAWAMA SIMBA

Shabiki wa Yanga akiwa kwenye Uwanja wa Kijitonyama jana, huku amevalia jezi yenye jina la mchezaji mpya wa timu hiyo, Emmanuel Okwi anayetarajiwa kuwasili leo kwa ajili ya kujiunga na timu hiyo.

Dar es Salaam. Mwenyekiti wa klabu ya Simba, Ismail Aden Rage ameibuka na kusema kuwa lawama za kutokumsajili mshambuliaji wao wa zamani kutoka Uganda, Emmanuel Okwi zielekezwe kwa Kamati ya Usajili na Ufundi wa timu hiyo na wala siyo yeye.

WANACHAMA SIMBA WATWANGANA JANA

Dar es Salaam. Pepo mbaya amezidi kuiandama Simba baada ya wanachama wanaodhaniwa kuwa wa klabu hiyo wanaotoka katika Matawi ya Mpira Pesa na Mpira Maendeleo kutwangana ngumi hadharani.

Tukio hilo lilitokea jana asubuhi mtaa wa Msimbazi yalipo makao makuu ya Klabu ya Simba ambapo uchunguzi wa Mwananchi ulibaini chanzo ni tofauti za kimsimamo baina ya wanachama wa matawi hayo mawili.

Luis Suarez: TUKIENDELEA HIVI UBINGWA WETU

Liverpool, England. Mshambuliaji Uruguay, Luis Suarez amekiri kuwa sasa amefanikiwa kuzikonga nyoyo za mashabiki wa Liverpool baada ya kupitia katika kipindi kigumu mwaka huu.

Jumatatu, Suarez ameshinda  tuzo ya mchezaji bora wa mwaka 2013 ya William Hill Football Supporters’ inayotolewa na Shirikisho la Mashabiki wa soka England.

EMMANUEL OKWI BALAA TUPU

Straika Emmanuel Okwi akifurahia goli wakati alipokuwa akiichezea timu ya Simba, Sasa amejiunga na Yanga. 

SAA 24 baada ya Yanga kumsajili mshambuliaji wa zamani wa Simba, Emmanuel Okwi kutoka SC Villa ya Uganda, wachezaji wa timu hiyo wameupa dole gumba uongozi wakisema: “Asanteni kwa kutuletea fundi.”

Wakizungumza na Mwanaspoti mara baada ya mazoezi ya Yanga jana Jumatatu asubuhi kwenye Uwanja wa Bora, Kijitonyama jijini Dar es Salaam, wachezaji hao waliupongeza uongozi kwa kusema Okwi ni mchezaji hodari atakayeongeza ufanisi kikosini mwao.

ARSENAL YAPEWA BAYERN MUNICH ULAYA

Wachezaji wa Bayern Munich wakishangilia 

ARSENAL imepewa kibarua kizito katika michuano ya Ligi ya Mabingwa Ulaya hatua ya mtoano baada ya kupangwa kucheza na mabingwa watetezi, Bayern Munich, Februari mwakani.

SIMBA KULIPELEKA SAKATA LA OKWI FIFA

Dar es Salaam. Siku moja baada ya Yanga kutangaza  kumsajili mshambuliaji Emmanuel Okwi, uongozi wa Simba umesema hauna ugomvi na mchezaji  huyo licha ya kudai kufuatilia suala hilo Shirikisho la Soka Duniani (Fifa).

KIAMA,ARSENAL MDOMONI MWA VIGOGO

Timu 16 zimeingia kwenye hatua ya mtoano, ambapo timu nane zilizoongoza makundi na nane nyingine zilizomaliza nafasi ya pili.

MARA kipyenga kinapulizwa, Arsenal dhidi ya Real Madrid kwenye mtoano wa Ligi ya Mabingwa Ulaya.

Hakuna ujanja, vinara hao wa Ligi Kuu England ikiwakwepa wababe hao wa Santiago Bernabeu, inaweza kuangukia kwenye midomo ya vigogo wengine hatari zaidi, PSG, Bayern Munich, Atletico Madrid au Barcelona.

KASEJA ADAKA MASHUTI 17 YANGA

Kipa,Juma Kaseja.

KIPA,Juma Kaseja, juzi Jumamosi aliichezea Yanga mechi yake ya kwanza baada ya kurejea klabuni hapo hivi karibuni akitokea Simba na kudaka mashuti 17 katika dakika 90 za mchezo wa kirafiki dhidi ya KMKM ya Zanzibar. Mechi ilimalizika kwa Yanga kushinda mabao 3-2.

ANDY COLE AITABIRIA MAKUBWA TANZANIA

Straike wa zamani wa Manchester United,Andy Cole.

STRAIKA wa zamani wa Manchester United,Andy Cole amesema Tanzania ina vipaji vingi vya soka lakini kinachowakwamisha kucheza soka la kulipwa Ulaya ni miundombinu ya kuwatoa katika hatua moja kwenda nyingine.

SIMBA YAIZIMA KMKM, Logarusic apangua kikosi

Kikosi cha Simba.

 

SIMBA imeichapa KMKM ya Zanzibar mabao 3-1 katika mechi ya kirafiki iliyochezwa jana Jumapili kwenye Uwanja wa Taifa, jijini Dar es Salaam.

Katika mechi hiyo ambayo ilikuwa ya kwanza kwa kocha mpya wa kikosi hicho, Zdravko Logarusic ambaye alianza kwa staili ya kuwahamisha namba baadhi ya wachezaji.

OKWI ASAINI YANGA MIAKA MIWILI

Mshambuliaji wa zamani wa Simba, Emmanuel Okwi 

YANGA imefanya umafia, imemsajili mshambuliaji wa zamani wa Simba, Emmanuel Okwi kwa mkataba wa miaka miwili na nusu na huenda akaichezea timu hiyo Jumamosi ijayo katika mechi ya Mtani Jembe dhidi ya Simba, Uwanja wa Taifa, jijini Dar es Salaam.

ROONEY MWANASOKA MWENYE PESA NDEFU ZAIDI UINGEREZA

TIMU yake ya Manchester United inagaragara kwenye nafasi ya tisa katika msimamo wa Ligi Kuu England, lakini straika Wayne Rooney anashika namba moja kwa wanasoka raia wa Uingereza wanaotesa kwa utajiri katika ligi hiyo.

VAN PERSIE KUKOSA MECHI NANE

MANCHESTER United imepata pigo kubwa baada ya straika wake mahiri Robin van Persie kuumia paja na kwamba atakuwa nje ya uwanja kwa mwezi mmoja.

Fowadi huyo wa Uholanzi aliumia wakati akipiga kona iliyosababisha bao la Manchester United kwenye mechi ya Ligi ya Mabingwa Ulaya dhidi ya Shakhtar Donetsk Jumanne iliyopita na sasa majeraha hayo yatamweka nje ya uwanja hadi mwakani.

MAPUNDA ATAKA NAMBA MOJA SIMBA

Kipa mpya wa Simba, Ivo Mapunda amesema hahofii ushindani atakaokutana nao kutoka kwa makipa wengine wa timu hiyo na kudai kuwa yuko tayari kuikabili changamoto hiyo na hatimaye kusimama langoni kama kipa namba moja.

OKWI, MAFISANGO WANA SIRI YA MANJI

Mwenyekiti wa Yanga, Yusuf Manji 

INAFAHAMIKA kuwa Mwenyekiti wa Yanga, Yusuf Manji, ametangaza kutogombea katika uchaguzi ujao wa klabu hiyo, lakini unafahamu kilichomfanya akaamua kugombea uenyekiti katika uchaguzi mdogo ule wa Julai mwaka jana? Mwenyewe anasema ni kipigo cha 5-0 walichopewa na Simba.

DHAIRA: NIMETIMULIWA SIMBA

Kipa Abel Dhaira 

KIPA Abel Dhaira, ametamka kuwa anajua jambo kubwa lililofanya yeye kutemwa na Simba si kutokana na kushuka kiwango.

Akizungumza na Mwanaspoti, kipa huyo kutoka Uganda alisema kuwa ametemwa Simba kwa madai kuwa alikuwa akiuza mechi mara kwa mara na kufungwa kwake mabao matatu katika mechi dhidi ya Yanga kulizidisha makali ya tuhuma hizo.

TWITE: KASEJA KAIMARISHA ULINZI

Juma Kaseja 

KIRAKA wa Yanga, Mnyarwanda Mbuyu Twite amesema yupo vizuri kimazoezi tayari kwa lolote huku akitamba kuwa kikosi chao kimeongezewa nguvu na kipa Juma Kaseja.

Mbuyu, ambaye kikosini hapo anachezeshwa kama beki wa kulia, ingawa mara nyingine anacheza nafasi ya beki wa kati, kushoto na kiungo hakuitwa kwenye kikosi cha Rwanda ‘Amavubi’ badala yake alibaki Dar es Salaam kwa mapumziko.

SIMBA YASAJILI BONGE LA BEKI KENYA

Musoti 

Simba imefikia uamuzi huo baada ya mapendekezo ya kocha wao mpya, Mcroatia Zdravok Logarusic, ambaye aliambia Mwanaspoti kuwa ameutaka uongozi usajili kipa, beki wa kati na ikiwezekana mshambuliaji.

DHAIRA ATUPWA, MAJI BARIDI STOP

Mwenyekiti wa Kamati ya Usajili wa Simba, Zacharia Hanspoppe ameithibitishia 

Posted  Jumanne,Decemba10  2013  saa 9:17 AM

MWENYEKITI wa Kamati ya Usajili wa Simba, Zacharia Hanspoppe ameithibitishia Mwanaspoti kuwa wamemtema rasmi kipa wao wa Uganda, Abel Dhaira na nafasi yake itachukuliwa na Ivo Mapunda.

Alisema baada ya kumsajili Yaw Berko wa Ghana, sasa wamemuongezea Mapunda ili kuimarisha lango.

KOSTA PAPIC AMCHARUKIA KASEJA YANGA

Kocha wa zamani wa Yanga, Kosta Papic  

KOCHA wa zamani wa Yanga, Kosta Papic amemponda Juma Kaseja kwa kujiunga na klabu hiyo ya Jangwani na kumuita kigeugeu.

Papic, ambaye sasa ni Kocha Mkuu wa Black Leopards ya Afrika Kusini inayoshiriki Ligi Daraja la Kwanza, alisema alichokifanya Kaseja ni kukosa msimamo.

MCHUJO WA LOGARUSIC WAIVURUGA SIMBA SC

Kocha wa Simba, Zdravko Logarusic ameeleza kuwa kuna mambo mengi yanayotakiwa kufanyiwa kazi katika kikosi cha Simba ili timu ifanikiwe na jambo la kwanza aliloona halijakaa sawa ni mishahara ya wachezaji  

MCHUJO wa wachezaji wa Simba unaodaiwa kutangazwa na Kocha Zdravko Logarusic umezua zogo Simba kwani viongozi walitarajia kukutana naye haraka ili kufahamu vigezo vilivyotumika katika mchakato huo.

Inadaiwa Logarusic ametangaza wachezaji 26 wa kuendelea na Simba huku wengine sita wakitemwa kwa madai ya kutohitajika kikosini na kutakiwa kwenda kikosi B.

KILIMANJARO STARS KUIVAA HARAMBEE STARS LEO

Wanaume Killi stars wakishangilia

Timu hiyo ya Kilimanjaro Stars itacheza saa 7:30 mchana kwenye uwanja huo ambao katika mchezo wa kwanza ilicheza hapo na kutoka sare ya bao 1-1 na Zambia, ambayo itacheza na Sudan nusu fainali ya pili mjini Mombasa.

Yaya Toure named 2013 BBC African Footballer of the Year

Yaya Toure has won the 2013 BBC African Footballer of the Year award.

The Ivory Coast and Manchester City midfielder, who had been nominated in each of the past four years, beat Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Victor Moses, John Mikel Obi and Jonathan Pitroipa to this year's crown.

The 30-year-old told BBC Sport: "I think I've been nominated for five years in a row and finally winning the award is amazing. 

"It's a fantastic achievement because I don't think there has ever been as many quality African players in top-level international football as there are now: Aubameyang, Pitroipa, Mikel, Moses, Salomon Kalou, Gervinho... we have fantastic players.

LIVERPOOL:Sturridge out for up to two months

Daniel Sturridge: Liverpool striker to miss next 'six-eight weeks'

Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge has been ruled out for up to two months with an ankle injury.

The in-form England international has scored 11 goals in 14 games for his club this season, including a late equaliser in the 3-3 draw at Everton.

But Sturridge sprained his ankle in training this week and manager Brendan Rodgers confirmed the outlook.

"Daniel Sturridge is out for six to eight weeks, which is obviously a big blow," he told Sky Sports.

TOTTENHAM:Critism Agenda -driven- Villas-Boas

Andre Villas-Boas says Spurs criticism 'agenda driven'

Tottenham boss Andre Villas-Boas feels the recent criticism he has received is "aggressive and agenda driven" and does not reflect his side's league position.

Villas-Boas praised Spurs' display in their 2-2 draw with Manchester United and told BBC Sport: "The champions of England sit one point ahead of us.

PREMIER LEAGUE: Hull earn first-ever win over Liverpool

       













Hull claimed their first ever win over Liverpool as the visitors missed the chance to close on leaders Arsenal.

The hosts went ahead when Jake Livermore's shot took a wicked deflection off defender Martin Skrtel.

A precise free-kick from Steven Gerrard pulled Liverpool level but David Meyler capitalised on some poor defending to put the hosts back in front.

Luis Suarez fired wide but the Reds rarely threatened before Skrtel's headed own-goal ended their hopes.

The victory, Hull's first in 17 meetings with Liverpool, only partially distracted the home fans from their defiance in the face of owner Assem Allam's comments earlier in the day.

SWANSEA: Swansea do not fear Man city - Laudrup

Manager Michael Laudrup says Swansea will show no fear for their visit to high-scoring Manchester City in the Premier League on Sunday.

Manuel Pellegrini's City side have scored 41 goals in 10 home games in all competitions this season, including a 6-0 defeat of Spurs and a 4-1 win against Manchester United.

"They are the best home team in the league," said Laudrup.

"We will show them respect but never fear - you can't play with fear." 

City's impressive home form has seen them score 26 goals in six home games in the Premier League and Laudrup admitted: "It'll be a tough afternoon, but we can only surprise them."

PREMIER LEAGUE: Everton go fourth after beating Stoke

 

Everton moved into the Premier League top four after Gerard Deulofeu masterminded a thumping victory over Stoke on his first league start.

The Spanish teenager had already threatened before firing in at the near post following a neat interchange.

Deulofeu then crossed for Seamus Coleman to make it 2-0 after the break. 

The hosts were a threat from the start, especially Deulofeu, who showed himself worthy of his first Premier League start after a number of strong showings from the bench.

He tested Asmir Begovic with an early free-kick and twice went close before his goal on the stroke of half-time.

Osman, who worked behind

Bale scores hat-trick in Real win

Gareth Bale scores his first hat-trick for Real Madrid as they beat Real Valladolid to close in on leaders Barcelona.

Gareth Bale scored his first hat-trick in a Real Madrid shirt as the Spanish giants comfortably beat Real Valladolid to move within three points of La Liga leaders Barcelona.

Cristiano Ronaldo missed the game with injury, giving Bale the chance to take centre stage.

The 24-year-old did so in style as he nodded in the opener before setting up Karim Benzema to head in a second.

Bale sidefooted in Real's third before finishing from eight yards late on.

The Wales international takes his tally to nine goals in 13 appearances for Real since his £85m move from Tottenham in September.

"Gareth Bale has fully adapted to the team. He has a

Zimbabwe: City of Kings Comes Alive

TWENTY TWO thousand tickets will be sold at Barbourfields today as a bumper crowd is expected when Highlanders take on How Mine in the Mbada Diamonds Cup final. This is the first time in the three-year history of the tournament that the final is being hosted outside Harare.Fans making their way into the rest of the ground, for which the PSL has set aside 18 000 tickets, will pay US$1 with the remainder of the tickets sold at the wings for US$5 each.
Kennedy Ndebele, the PSL chief executive, urged fans to come early saying there were no extra tickets for the game.
"We do not want to over crowd the stadium and as such we have 24 000 tickets with a sixth of that set for the wings.

Angola: Cristiano Ronaldo to Visit Angola Next Year

The Portuguese football star, Cristiano Ronaldo, who plays for Spain's Real Madrid, is to travel to Angola in 2014, on a charity work visit at the invitation of Kabuscorp Futebol Club do Palanca.
This was announced last Thursday to the press, in Luanda, by the president of Kabuscorp Club, Bento dos Santos Kangamba.
"Ronaldo has accepted the invitation, it will be a short visit, during which we'll carry out a charity action for needy people", he explained.
According to Bento Kangamba, the chairman of the Portuguese Football Federation, Fernando Gomes, is also expected to be part of the Portuguese star's delegation.

Nigeria: Advocates of Foreign Technical Adviser After Money, Says Erico

Former assistant coach of the Super Eagles, Joe Erico has hailed recent statements from the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF and the Sports Minister, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi that restated that the country has no need for a foreign coach of whatever class to take the Super Eagles to the 2014 World Cup in Bazil.
Erico who served as assistant coach with Stephen Keshi under Shaibu Amodu in 2002 said the pronouncements from the top shots of sports and football to reaffirm support for Keshi were wise decisions.
"Any such move for a foreigner translates yet to waste of public funds. Foreign coach advocates are purely after money,Erico affirmed, adding that "what has past foreign coaches done in the World Cup? Before anyone mentions foreign coach, let us remember that Las Lagerback was once here, Bora Milutinovic came and Berti Vogts also came.
Except for the Asian continent, we have had them from around the world and those that came in recent times were massive failures and our football suffered under them. So, my heart is with Stephen Keshi because he has done a good job and he remains an ambassador of Nigerian coaches for what he has done.
I will continue to root for him because he is our own. We will get better with time," he stated, adding "whatever we can do using our own resources and people is the ideal thing."
Coach Erico, who reminded the NFF about the need to plan towards making Nigeria's fifth World Cup finals a huge success and not one of mere participation, said past records show that pre-World Cup changes of the national team technical crew in 2002, and 2010 ended in failures.

Tunisia/Congo-Kinshasa: Sfaxien Claim Third Confed Cup Title

Tunisian side, CS Sfaxien has won the 2013 Orange CAF Confederation Cup title despite a 2-1 loss to TP Mazembe of DR Congo on Saturday in Lubumbashi.
Sfaxien annexed the title 3-2 on aggregate thanks to a 2-0 win from the final first leg last week in Rades. The Tunisian outfit this confirmed their status as the most successful in the second-tier continental club championship after successes in 2007 and 2008.
Mazembe led by two goals at half time with strikes from Cheibane Traore and Mbwana Samatta before pacy winger Fakheridine Ben Youssef scored in the dying embers to take game beyond the hosts.
The Congolese got off to a perfect start but paid the price for their failure to bury the several chances that came their way.
It took just 10 minutes to break the deadlock as Traore tapped in a rebound after Sfaxien goalie Rami Jeridi had spilled Given Singuluma's shot unto his path.
Mazembe coach, Patrice Carteron handed starting roles to Ghanaian duo, Yaw Frimpong and Solomon Asante and they made their presence felt with surging runs upfront. Asante in particular remained a constant threat to the Sfaxien backline, and was often fouled by his markers.
On 20 minutes, captain Tresor Mputu set up Traore to double the lead but the Malian blasted wide from close range.
Three minutes later, Samatta scored the second goal from a three-man move with Asante and Mputu as the actors. Mputu fetched Asante, who lobbed for the Tanzanian to blast past Jeridi to set the stadium into ecstasy.
At that point, Mazembe needed a third to kill it and they pressed their opponents further. Sfaxien resorted to long balls relying on the pace of Fakheridine, who was a danger to the Mazambe defence anytime he moved upfront. Their first attempt at goal was on 25 minutes but Fakheridine headed wide from Didier Lebri's cross.
Two minutes before half time, Jeridi was to his side's rescue with a pointblank save from a Traore shot after Mputu had put him through.
Mazembe resumed strongly with Asante tormenting the Sfaxien defence, but lacked the cutting edge upfront. On 55 minutes, Asante weaved his way past his marker and squared Mputu, but the latter volleyed wide. Carteron then varied his tactics with Rainford Kalaba and Boubacar Diarra replacing Siguluma and Samatta.

On 72 minutes, the homers were dealt a major after Asante pulled out after an injury and his replacement Thomas Ulimwengu, announced his presence with a thunderbolt that was spilled out by Jeridi minutes later.
Sfaxien also had their turn with Gabon-import Didier Ibrahim Ndong and Ferdjani Sassi fouling the attacks of the Congolese.
Ten minutes from time, Mazembe kept the visitors defence boiling but Sfaxien survived after Maman Issoufou headed out an Mputu header from a goalmouth action.
Sfaxien returned it in style and in the 88th minute, Fakhreddine stunned the home crowd with a header that beat goalkeeper Muteba Kidiaba for the first and only time in the game. A throw-in effected by Issoufou was flicked by Ferdjani to Fakhreddine, who headed in to make matters worse for Mazembe.
The goal meant Mazembe had to score two more goals to turn the tide their favour but the Tunisians defended gallantly and cruised to victory.
Sfaxien are 660,000 US Dollars richer by the feat and will face Al-Ahly of Egypt in next year's Orange CAF Super Cup.

Stoke v Sunderland: Gus Poyet wants apology after red card

Sunderland manager Gus Poyet wants Wes Brown's red card in the defeat at Stoke to be rescinded - and for referees' chief Mike Riley to apologise.

Referee Kevin Friend dismissed Brown for a tackle on Charlie Adam during the 2-0 loss, though the defender appeared to win the ball cleanly.

Last week, Riley rang West Brom boss Steve Clarke after a controversial penalty award against Chelsea.

"Maybe Mike needs to call. I will have my phone on," Poyet told BBC Sport.

Sunderland were trailing 1-0 to a 30th-minute Adam strike when Brown went sliding in on the Stoke goalscorer and, after a short delay, was sent off by Friend.

Poyet, who reacted furiously at the time, shouting at the officials and throwing his coat to the ground, added: "Either we get an apology or you don't make me appeal and take the red card away. We can accept the mistake from the referee and we move forward. 

"Sometimes we keep asking ourselves what is going on because it is difficult to understand. I would like somebody to explain. If you explain the action with some different words maybe I try to give some credit to the referee.

"But I don't think there is any explanation. Was it a two-footed tackle? No. Was he not in control? No. Over the ball? No. Was the opponent in danger? No. Did he make contact? No. Please explain me. It is difficult to accept."

Riley, who is in charge of the the Professional Game Match Officials Board (PGMOB), contacted Clarke to say sorry for referee Andre Marriner's contentious decision to award a late spot-kick to Chelsea in the 2-2 draw at Stamford Bridge on 9 November.

Poyet added: "I would like the referees' association to apologise to me this time.

"They did it last week. I think it is fair - they called a British manager and I think it is time for them to call a foreign manager."

Brendan Rodgers: Everton's Kevin Mirallas deserved red card

Roberto Martinez said the tackle was "not malicious" after his first Merseyside derby as Everton boss.

But Rodgers said: "Mirallas should have been sent off."

The 40-year-old added: "It would have been interesting had Luis made that challenge. He's just caught him right on the back of his knee and that can end your career. It took Luis 10 or 15 minutes to recover and it was disappointing."

Daniel Sturridge's 89th-minute equaliser gave Liverpool a point after Philippe Coutinho and Suarez had twice put them ahead, with Mirallas helping Romelu Lukaku score twice for the home side.

Rodgers added: "Kevin Mirallas is a really honest attacking player and sometimes attackers make those challenges that are poor and that was a really bad one.

"I thought it was a brilliant game. We don't want to see players sent off and it was 11 v 11 and great attacking end-to-end stuff but if someone should be sent off then that's what should happen. 

"Sometimes Luis rolls about a bit but gets up quickly, so I knew it was a reasonably bad one for him to stay down for so long."

Martinez, who became a father for the first time on Friday after his wife game birth to daughter Luella, defended Mirallas.

He said: "I can see why Liverpool might think that. I have seen the replay and obviously Kevin goes for the ball with a typical striker's tackle and closes his eyes when he gets to the incident and his right leg catches Suarez.

"I don't think it is a red card because it is not a malicious incident, he tries to win the ball but gets there late.

"I think a yellow card, bearing in mind the emotions you bring into a derby, was the right decision. But I can see why, if that had been against my team, I would've been thinking it would have been a red card."

Cardiff striker Peter Odemwingie has recovered from a minor muscle injury, while Aron Gunnarsson is fit despite hobbling off for Iceland on Tuesday.

Andreas Cornelius, sidelined since August by an ankle injury, is also fit.

Manchester United are without Michael Carrick and Phil Jones because of respective Achilles and groin problems.

The Red Devils will assess strikers Robin van Persie and Danny Welbeck, both of whom withdrew from international duty because of injuries.

MATCH PREVIEW

Cardiff City against Manchester United isn't a fixture with a particularly rich history, illustrated by the fact this will be the first meeting of any kind between the clubs since March 1975, some 38 years ago.

Go back a bit further though and there's a date of significance for Manchester United fans, because it was 60 years ago that the legendary Duncan Edwards   made his debut for the club in a match against this weekend's opponents.

Burkina Faso lodge World Cup appeal against Algeria

The Burkina Faso Football Federation (FBF) has complained to Fifa over claims that Algeria used an ineligible player in the second leg of the World Cup play-off tie.

The FBF says Algerian defender Madjid Bougherra should have been suspended for two yellow cards in earlier games.
Bougherra scored the only goal in Algeria's 1-0 win that saw them qualify for Brazil on the away goals rule.
The federation has also complained about Senegalese referee Badara Diatta.
According to FBF president Sita Sangare, Bougherra picked up a yellow card during the group stage of qualifying against Mali and also went into the book during Burkina Faso's 3-2 win in the first leg of their play-off, which should have ruled him out of the second leg.
The teamsheets on the Fifa website do not show a yellow card for Bougherra  in the first leg of the tie.
Zambian referee Janny Sikazwe, who was in charge of the first leg, told BBC sport that what is on the Fifa site is what he had reported back after the match.
He also said that he had not booked any players in the tunnel or away from the field of play.
Sangare also argues that Diatta failed to play out the full four minutes of injury time, depriving them of the chance to score a late equaliser which could have qualified them for their first ever World Cup.
The African qualifying campaign has been overshadowed by several matches that were overturned by Fifa for nations using players who should have been suspended.
Cape Verde were denied a place in the final round of play-offs when football's world governing body Fifa ruled they had used an ineligible player in their final group win over Tunisia.

West Ham defender Winston Reid has undergone ankle surgery and is expected to be a long-term absentee.

West Ham defender Winston Reid has undergone ankle surgery and is expected to be a long-term absentee.

Razvan Rat is a doubt with a hamstring injury he sustained on international duty with Romania, but Joey O'Brien and James Collins should be fit.

Chelsea forward Fernando Torres is not quite ready to return from an adductor muscle injury.

Ashley Cole will play despite sitting out England's matches with the recurrence of a rib injury.

MATCH PREVIEW

England need more skill, pace and match-winning trickery in midfield. That much is clear from the back-to-back Wembley defeats. West Ham's Ravel Morrison should use spotlight matches like this to stake his claim for a place on the plane to Rio.

Now that he's shrugging off the tag of trouble-maker under the watchful eye of Sam Allardyce and a new mentor in Kevin Nolan, the 20-year-old is showing the sort of creativity that once had Sir Alex Ferguson drooling.

I think there's still one midfield spot in Roy Hodgson's squad yet accounted for. Morrison has a lot to do, but his five goals this season have a stamp of class. If he can get his head right, he could be a terrific player. 

Chelsea's Frank Lampard might be looking over his shoulder at the rise of Morrison. He struggled against Chile. Critics will say the years are catching up with him fast, especially as he's suffering his worst Premier League scoring drought in a decade.

This is the start of a run of five winnable games for Chelsea against modest opposition prior to visiting Arsenal on 23 December.

So far they've picked up the same number of points under Jose Mourinho as they did in Rafa Benitez's first 11 games in charge. Imagine the boos he would have had! But, for the moment, Jose can still do no wrong.

West Ham also need to hit immediate targets - six points at least from the next three home games. They have the worst current home form in the division. They've struggled to score. The win at Spurs and the Capital One Cup run have camouflaged a disturbing slump. Six points from nine games is relegation form.

This week they unveiled computer images of what football will look like in the Olympic Stadium when they move. They can't afford to go there in the Championship.

MATCH FACTS

Head-to-head

• This is the 100th meeting of the clubs in all competitions. Chelsea have won 44 times, West Ham 37 and there have been 18 draws.
• West Ham beat Chelsea for the first time in 13 league matches in the corresponding fixture last season. However, Chelsea were then 2-0 winners at Stamford Bridge.
• West Ham boss Sam Allardyce has picked up just two points in his previous six top-flight meetings with Jose Mourinho, losing all three home games.

West Ham

• West Ham are without a win in their last four home games in the league (D1, L3 D1), their worst run under Sam Allardyce.
• They have failed to score in six of their 11 league matches this season.
• Their only league victory since the opening day of the season was by 3-0 at Tottenham.
• This is the start of three successive London derbies for the Hammers, with Fulham at home and Palace away to come.

Chelsea

• They have just six points from six games against teams in the top half of the table going into the start of the weekend's matches.
• Frank Lampard has scored in three of his last four Premier League appearances against his former club West Ham, but the England midfielder has failed to score in 10 successive league games - his longest run without a goal in the Premier League since April-August 2003.
• Chelsea are unbeaten in their last six London derbies in the league (W4, D2).

Ian Holloway: Crystal Palace boss departs Premier League strugglers

"It's a completely different challenge for Ian and a completely different challenge for us at the club.

"Ian's been very noble and he's come forward and said: 'I can't do it.' I've spent three days trying to get Ian in the frame of mind that he can do it."

Assistant manager Keith Millen will take temporary charge  for the game against Arsenal on Saturday.

Although the club lost star player Wilfried Zaha to Manchester United, Holloway was allowed to bring in 16 players during the summer.

"I have pride in the job we've both done," Holloway said.

"We need to shut up shop in this division. At the minute we've got a whole new group there.

"I have to hold my hand up and say we didn't keep the spirit that got us up.

"We changed too much too quickly."

He added: "This club needs an impetus of energy - but I just feel tired to be honest. I'm worn out."

Palace won 3-1 against fellow strugglers Sunderland on 31 August, but they have lost their seven other league games this season.

Palace are 19th in the Premier League table and speculation had surrounded Holloway's position following a meeting with Parish after the Fulham defeat, despite the chairman telling BBC Radio 5 Live before the game his job was secure.

Parish said he would consult Holloway when it came to appointing a new manager and that the club needed someone with more top-flight experience. 

"We've got a whole group of people who are only really used to the Championship and dropped them into the Premier League," added Parish.

"I think we both realised we need someone with more experience at this level."

Holloway ended a three-year spell at Blackpool - who he guided to promotion to the Premier League in 2010 before being relegated back to the Championship the following season - to join the Eagles, succeeding Dougie Freedman.

Palace were fourth in the Championship table when Holloway arrived, but held onto a play-off place thanks to an 89th-minute winner from Mile Jedinak in the final game of the season against Peterborough.

After beating Brighton in the play-off semi-finals, an extra-time Kevin Phillips penalty secured promotion against Watford at Wembley.

Tony Pulis: Crystal Palace appoint former Stoke boss as manager

ony Pulis has been confirmed as the new manager of Crystal Palace on a two-and-half-year deal.

The 55-year-old left Stoke City during the summer and succeeds Ian Holloway, who exited Selhurst Park on 23 October.

Caretaker manager Keith Millen will remain in charge for Saturday's trip to Hull, with Pulis's first game coming against Norwich next weekend. 

Pulis has never been relegated in 21 years as a manager but Palace sit bottom of the Premier League.

Palace were promoted to the top flight via the Championship play-offs in May, but have never survived a season in the Premier League.

They have only beaten Sunderland this season and despite keeping a first clean-sheet of the campaign in a goalless draw with Everton two weeks ago, have just four points from 11 matches.

During Holloway's final news conference as manager, Palace co-chairman Steve Parish said the club hoped to talk to Pulis, but it is understood the former Plymouth Argyle boss was initially cautious about taking the job.

It is understood he wants to bolster the squad during the January transfer window to aid Palace's fight for survival. 

There were rumours Wales manager Chris Coleman could be appointed before he committed his future to his country, with Iain Dowie and new Middlesbrough manager Aitor Karanka also linked with the role.

Parish had also explored the possibility of appointing former Chelsea defender Dan Petrescu, who is now manager of Dinamo Moscow.

However, Petrescu said: "I have not been in talks with any club being under contract with another outfit. And I'm not set to do it in the future."

Welshman Pulis was appointed Stoke boss for a second time in 2006 and two years later led them into the top flight after a 23-year absence.

Despite not finishing lower than 14th in five seasons in the Premier League and guiding the Potters to an FA Cup final, he left the Britannia Stadium by mutual consent in the summer after being told the board wanted to take the club in a "different direction".

Palace, who are yet to win since Millen took temporary charge, are six points from safety ahead of Saturday's trip to the KC Stadium.

Daniel Sturridge's late equaliser rescued a point for Liverpool after a classic Merseyside derby with Everton at Goodison Park.

Daniel Sturridge's late equaliser rescued a point for Liverpool after a classic Merseyside derby with Everton at Goodison Park.

In the finest meeting between these two sides in years, Everton and Liverpool traded blows almost from the first whistle before sharing a point at its conclusion.

Philippe Coutinho gave the visitors an early lead but Kevin Mirallas - who should have been sent off for a shocking first half-tackle on Luis Suarez - quickly equalised.

Suarez restored Liverpool's advantage before half-time but Everton, playing with the attacking intent manager Roberto Martinez is determined to introduce, responded in style.

Romelu Lukaku, who had twice been thwarted by Liverpool keeper Simon Mignolet, sidefooted home the equaliser before a towering header from Mirallas' corner put the hosts ahead with eight minutes left.

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers had introduced Sturridge for Lucas with 15 minutes left and the move paid dividends in the 89th minute as he rose to head Steven Gerrard's free-kick beyond home keeper Tim Howard.

The list of chances was almost endless as, even in stoppage time, Howard saved from Suarez, and Mignolet blocked Everton substitute Gerard Deulofeu as both teams went for the winner.

They earned a standing ovation at the final whistle and rightly so after a thrilling 90 minutes.

Liverpool could only put Sturridge on the bench after he struggled with a thigh injury on England duty - but Suarez was available after flying back from Uruguay aboard owner John W Henry's private jet following their World Cup qualification on Thursday.

And it was inevitable that Suarez would be involved in most of the major talking points of an eventful first half.

The Reds were ahead inside five minutes in a manner that would have left Toffees manager Martinez aghast, as his side left Coutinho unmarked at the far post to score from Gerrard's corner, despite the efforts of James McCarthy on the line.

Martinez's counterpart Rodgers will not have felt any better as Everton equalised three minutes later, Mirallas pouncing to score after Martin Skrtel could not clear a Leighton Baines free-kick.

A free-flowing game looked certain to produce further goals. And so it proved as Suarez restored Liverpool's advantage in the 19th minute. He was fouled by Gareth Barry 25 yards out before inflicting further punishment by curling a low free-kick past the left hand of Howard.

Suarez was a central figure once more when he was felled by a shocking high challenge from Mirallas - referee Phil Dowd taking his time to make a decision as Liverpool's striker received lengthy treatment, before producing only a yellow card.

Mirallas, who was injured by a challenge from Suarez in last season's Merseyside derby, was fortunate to stay on the pitch after what looked a clear red card.

The hosts were dealt a blow just after half-time when Baines limped off, but Martinez felt bold enough to introduce gifted youngster Deulofeu, on loan from Barcelona, instead.

And he should have scored within moments when he was sent clear by Mirallas, but Mignolet was off his line quickly to block.

Lukaku had been a growing threat after a quiet start and twice Mignolet thwarted the giant striker as he looked poised to bring Martinez's men level.

It was Liverpool, however, who had the best opportunity - and contrived to waste it.

Suarez somehow ran a slalom through a number of home defenders and the ball fell to Joe Allen, but the midfielder, alone and eight yards out with only Howard to beat, sidefooted wide.

Everton were throwing everything forward and were rewarded when Mirallas crossed for Lukaku to finally beat Mignolet, who got a hand to his shot from eight yards but could not keep it out.

And the striker then soared above Reds defender Jon Flanagan in a mismatch in Liverpool's penalty box to head in a corner from the influential Mirallas.

Liverpool were not to be denied a point though and Sturridge earned it for them. He had the ball in the net again in injury time but was well offside, while the visitors' substitute Victor Moses also headed wide.

But Everton fully deserved something from this game and final whistle blew just after McCarthy had seen a shot blocked in the area.

Zimbabwe: Rugby More Than Just a Game

opinion

HENRY Blaha once said "Rugby is a beastly game played by gentlemen; soccer is a gentleman's game played by beasts; football is a beastly game played by beasts." The coming on board of Delta Beverages through its Lion Lager brand in 2011 was the dawn of a new era in the game of rugby in Zimbabwe.
Having gone for so many years without sponsorship, club rugby suffered a lot resulting in a number of teams folding as they could not afford to carry on playing rugby, as the costs of transport and running clubs were very high and unmanageable.
This resulted in the formation of the Northern Rugby League and Mid/Mat League in 2006, were teams from the same city played together to cut on transport costs.
It was not the most ideal situation but was a necessity to try and keep the game of rugby alive.
What was more encouraging was the fact that the clubs took the initiative to start and run a league without the input of the mother body.
Because of success of the first two years the passion and love of the game and the need to revive Inter-City Club rugby, clubs from the Northern and Southern regions came together and agreed to combine and form the National League.
The year 2009 saw the birth of the National Rugby League with six teams and the excitement of Inter City Club Rugby was re-born.
Even with that excitement, clubs still had to foot their own travel and medical services bills as we struggled to lure partners to the game.
In 2011, Delta Beverages, through their Lion Lager Brand, came on board to become the first partners of the National Rugby League.
In the past three seasons that we have partnered with Delta, clubs have been provided with branded playing kits, medical kits, branded training equipment that included balls, ruck shields, tackling bags, cones etc.
These were handed over to the clubs and the clubs have been putting the equipment to good use and the results are there for everyone to see, standard of the game has improved, though it might not be to the levels that we would want but there has been a major injection of life.
The Lion Lager National Rugby League has in the past years, through clubs, produced some great players that have gone on to represent the country at different National team levels and competitions.

Zimbabwe: Joke of the Year!

National senior football team, the Warriors, have emerged as a shock nominee for the prestigious Team of the Year award, threatening to make the 2013 Annual National Sports Awards (Ansa) set for December 11 a farce.

The Sports and Recreation Commission announced the awards nominees at a press conference yesterday. If the Warriors really deserve nomination, then it demonstrates the paucity of achievements in Zimbabwean sport.

The team finished bottom of their group in the running for a Fifa 2014 World Cup place, completing their worst campaign for the global showcase ever.

The Warriors came out of the four-nation pool with just two draws against Mozambique, while losing all the other four matches including two home defeats.

It might have been their success in qualifying for the African Nations Championships (Chan) which won the team nomination for the top prize.

But Chan is not even recognised by Fifa and considering the investment into the team, the Warriors do not deserve plaudits for mediocre peformances.

The also failed to win the regional Cosafa tournament after losing out to Zambia.

Warriors coach Ian Gorowa was also nominated in the will Coach of the Year category where he fights it out with Rachel Jane Davis of rowing and Wayne Davidson of triathlon.

Gorowa's only achievement in his short spell is qualifying for Africa's second tier tournament, Chan.

The other surprise was the exclusion of national cricket team coach Andy Waller from the Coach of the Year nominations even though his team, which won a Test match against Pakistan, is in the running for Team of the Year award.

The Zimbabwe Under-19 beach volleyball team completes nominations in that category.

Golfer Brendan de Jonge, reigning Sportsperson of the Year, did not receive any nominations this year.

Instead, the top accolade could be won by Cara Black (tennis), Micheen Thorncroft (rowing) and Rachel Goromonzi (hockey) who have been nominated in the Sportswoman of the Year category while Charles Manyuchi (boxing), Takanyi Garanganga (tennis) and Samson Muripo have been nominated for Sportsman of the Year.

Rwanda: Espoir's Ngandu - How I Ended Up in Rwanda

Bienvenu Ngandu has been the best defensive player in the national basketball league for two seasons running. In the just concluded campaign, he was named the Most Valuable Player after guiding Espoir to a second successive league and playoff titles.

The new MVP, who replaces his teammate Aristide Mugabe, was born on August 28, 1985 in the DR Congo capital Kinshasa to Mbanze Jamarie and Ilangi Odette. He is the first born in a family of seven; three boys and four girls.

The 28-year-old attended EP4 Yolo North for his primary and Lycee Matonge for his secondary education respectively, both in Kinshasa. He says he started playing basketball in primary and was the team captain for his secondary school team.

"After my secondary school studies, I joined BC Yolo team. But I didn't stay long as shortly after I signed for DCMP and later in 2003 I played for Onatra Matadi before crossing to Mulokayi team (all of DRC) in the same year.

"I also played in the Afrobasketball U-20 championships in Senegal," Ngandu disclosed in an interview with Saturday Sport on Thursday.

In 2005, Kabinda club of Angola signed him but life wasn't all that good in Luanda.

He struggled to settle in the team and played one season before returning to Congo where he featured for BC Onatra.

Ngandu is engaged and plans to marry his long-time fiancé (names withheld on his request) sometime early next year, he told this paper.

How APR spotted him

After winning two Congolese national championships with BC Onatra, the six-foot Ngandu also played a key role for the Kinshasa-based side at the Fiba Afro-basket Club Championships in Angola from where he was spotted by APR couch Cliff Owour.

Rwanda's APR were in Group A, while BC Onatra were on Group B and the two teams met in the quarter-finals which APR won 64-41. The tournament was won by Angolan side 1º de Agosto, who beat archrivals Petro Atlético 61-53 in the final.

"We (BC Onatra) played against APR at the African club championship in Angola, and it was after that game that the couch (Owuor) handpicked me, that is how I ended up in Rwanda," Ngandu recalls.

Rwanda/Uganda: CECAFA Cup - Another Showdown for Amavubi and Uganda Cranes

Rwanda's Amavubi Stars find themselves drawn with a country that has proved to be a thorn in their flesh once too many times. Uganda has been victorious in three consecutive CECAFA finals against Rwanda - in 2003, 2009 and 2011.

While this is not agonising, more pain comes in the fact that in 2005 and 2007, Rwanda still managed to reach the final, but lost to Ethiopia and Sudan respectively. This means that in recent years, Rwanda holds a record for the 'best losing finalist'.

Uganda Cranes have won Africa's oldest regional football competition a record 13 times, while Rwanda, despite the usual high hopes and expectation from the fans, have won it just once, in 1999 when it was held in Kigali for the first time-It was Rwanda B that triumphed over Kenya.

A fixture between the Amavubi and the Cranes, be it a friendly or a competitive game, is ultimately the most mouthwatering clash in the region, drawing from a historic rivalry that has sometimes gone beyond the pitch.

Yet in this year's CECAFA Cup, both nations find themselves drawn in the same group - Group C, alongside Eritrea and Sudan. A win to whichever side in the cup's first game on Wednesday next week will be a massive boost.

Much as Uganda has mostly emerged on top in these fixtures, last week's friendly in Namboole Stadium shone light on Rwanda's intentions. It's out to prove a point that gone are the days when Uganda simply walked over the fixture.

Rwanda played that game with intent to win. On the other hand, Uganda was mostly on its back foot, mostly, playing with respect. This friendly game gave a glimpse of what we should expect in Wednesday's game.

Yet, the epic may not be about the footballers, but the coaches. Amavubi's Eric Nshimiyimana was appointed the new coach of Amavubi, replacing Milutin Micho Sredojevic, who was fired after a streak of poor results.

Micho was snapped by Uganda as The Cranes head coach, a job he took with both hands, helping Uganda to qualify for African Nations Championship 2014 in South Africa.

Micho told Ugandan press that his motive is "not to revenge" against Rwanda - although I think that is more of talk than reality.

Nshimiyimana on the hand must prove that he deserves the job - so it might not be surprising to see a bit of hot air off the pitch during the competition.

Much as Rwanda and Uganda are the highlights in Group C, a shocker from either Eritrea or Sudan is quite possible.

Eritrea may be the fodder side, but it's hard to tell whether Sudan, a three times champion, will be a walk over.

That said, Rwanda has to kick the monkey off its back and prove that it has what it takes to win this trophy, seeing as it's the biggest chance they have for silverware after failing to qualify for other tournaments.

Zimbabwe's World Cup Hopes Doomed

The 2014 Twenty-20 cricket World Cup is around the corner and while all other participating nations have started priming themselves up, Zimbabwean preparations have been shambolic amid crippling financial woes.

The domestic season, which falls far short of adequately preparing the national team for such an event of such magnitude though it would have helped in some way, has had its start dates shifted and shuffled several times, with hopes it will take place waning.

South Africa are currently hosting Pakistan, at the back of other series in all formats in Dubai; India have an engagement with the West Indies; the Ashes has just started and the two nations will also play a One-Day-International series and a T-20; New Zealand is in Sri Lanka.

Meanwhile Zimbabwean players are either sitting idle at home or practising in the nets with the batsmen flattering themselves against predominantly school boys.

The latest information is that the domestic league could start on December 7 as Zimbabwe Cricket desperately waits for funding.

The countries that Zimbabwe will play in the pre-tournament qualifier in Bangladesh from March 16 are all engaged in their preliminary round of qualifiers and are exposed to much competitive cricket.

Having recorded rare success when they defeated Pakistan in a Test match at the back of an ODI win and another win in a lost T-20 series, all the gains which the team would have built on are likely to go to waste.

Worst still Zimbabwe could suffer the ignominy of climbing down from a Test win against super powers Pakistan to an embarrassing early exit at the hands of non-Test playing minnows at the global showcase.

The latest ICC T-20 team rankings place Zimbabwe at 15th below associate nations Kenya, Scotland, Netherlands, Ireland and Afghanistan.

Zimbabwe could face the Netherlands and Afghanistan in their qualification group.

Memories still linger of Zimbabwe's embarrassing display at the last T-20 World Cup in Sri Lanka where they suffered heavy defeats to the hosts and South Africa, and were the first to be eliminated.

Zambia: Arrows Eye Fifth Title

LEAGUE champions, Red Arrows this afternoon take on 'Men At Work' Diggers in the inaugural Copperfields-sponsored Zambia Rugby Union (ZRU) Super Eight Rugby Championship aiming to wrap up the 2013 season on a high with a fifth silverware to in their cabinet.

The tournament that will be held at the Nchanga Rugby Club in Chingola will signal the end of the 2013 rugby season.

Arrows have, apart from winning the Buildcon/ZRU national league title, also won the Mufulira, Ndola and Owen Busange tournaments, while Diggers would be out to seek revenge against the airmen who dethroned them as league champions.

Diggers, who beat Green Eagles 7-3 to reach the semi finals, have already bagged the Knock-Out (KO) Cup and Heroes Sevens titles and are favourites going into this final to win and earn a third cup success.

Having lost 11-10 to Arrows in the last game of the league, coach Robertson 'Plough' Kang'ongwe knows very well what is at stake.

Kang'ongwe is recognises the fact that his team will need to be at its best to overcome an Arrows side that defeated 'Powerhouse' Lusaka 7-6 to get this far.

Kang'ongwe will bank on inspirational Beneya Mukwamba to lead his side to victory along with the likes of Ephraim Musukwa, Ackim Mushota, Patrick Chanda and Jessie Mazabuka and company, to get the title. Arrows coach Mwamba Mulenga will bank on the likes of Paston Chola, Terry Kaushiku, Peter Mulenga, Daniel Sakala, Larry Kaushiku and William Daka to claim another famous victory for a Diggers side that they twice beat in the league.

The tournament was introduced by the ZRU as a way of increasing competition among teams and also as a fundraiser for the union to improve operations of the secretariat.

The Martin Musunka-led executive committee also decided to give opportunities to perceived 'small' clubs the chance to host high profiled events with Nchanga hosting the Super Eight final, while the Kitwe Playing Fields (KPF) was host to the KO final as way of building capacity for the clubs.

Zimbabwe: Raiderz Date Struggling Black Rhinos

SECOND-placed Raiderz will take on Black Rhinos tomorrow in the Harare Basketball League at Arcadia courts seeking to collect maximum points. Raiderz are currently on second position with 12 points after winning five of the seven matches they have played so far and they will be hoping for a win tomorrow when they take on struggling Black Rhinos.

Raiderz coach Martin Mukweva said they were ready for the match.

"We are actually looking forward to that game and we can safely say we are okay.

"We had one practice session on Tuesday due to the weather conditions because we were using an open court but these guys have been playing for the past two weeks," said Mukweva.

Fixtures:

Today:

A League: JBC V Airforce Falcons (Richwood), Cameo v UZ Stars (Richwood), Cheetahs v Pistons Richwood).

B League: Cubs v Pacers (Richwood), Arcadia v Swagou (Richwood).

Women's league: GS Academy v UZ Stars (Richwood), Arcadia v Green Stars (Richwood).

Tomorrow:

A League: Black Rhinos v Raiderz (Arcadia).

B League: Mablazo v Platinum Ballers (Richwood), F.M.L v South Central (Richwood), City Hornets v G.A (Arcadia), Arcadia v Cameo Sikaale (Arcadia).

Women's League: Hornet Queens v Black Rhinos (Arcadia), Stanbic RR v Platinum Ballers (Richwood), F.M.L v Vixens, Arcadia v Raiderz (Arcadia).

Zimbabwe: City Have Chance to Seal It

Will the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League title change hands tomorrow? That is the big question which can only be answered at the end of the day tomorrow as Harare City look to break new ground in a must-win match against CAPS United at the National Sports Stadium. The previous two seasons were dominated by giants Dynamos who won the League and Cup double under Callisto Pasuwa.

But the Sunshine Boys established themselves as firm favourites when they thrashed giants Highlanders 4-0 last week and opened a two-point lead at the top of the table ahead of the last round matches.

And now Harare giants, CAPS United, stand between them and the Promised Land as defending champions Dynamos and Highlanders stalk them.

However, City will have to make the best of their opportunities in their last outing of the season.

As Big boy Mawiwi conducted his last training session, it was difficult to ignore the spirit of expectation in the camp.

City are only in their second season in the Premiership.

"We are ready for the game. Actually, I am happy with the way things have turned out this week in terms of our preparations," said Mawiwi.

"The guys are happy and motivated. It's important that we win this game to realise the dream. But I would like to believe that this is going to be a tough game, just like many other matches that we have played this season.

"We don't have to place ourselves under lots of pressure. We were doing things the normal way the whole week. We didn't change anything in terms of our training methods.

"So we have to remain focused and try as much to concentrate on winning the game itself, and not placing too much emphasis on the title as three teams are running for it," said Mawiwi.

Harare City rose when it mattered most last week with that demolition of Highlanders to take pole position ahead of Dynamos and Highlanders.

The Sunshine Boys are two points clear at the top with 53 points.

The championship is theirs to lose after taking this vital advantage on the same afternoon holders Dynamos dropped two crucial points in the 2-2 draw at Chicken Inn to leave them tied on 51 points with Highlanders.